String Theory_ Fusion (Book 2) - Kirsten Beyer [35]
“All right,” Janeway replied calmly, “let’s look at what we do know. I assume you’ve analyzed its structure. What is it made of? Is it organic to Monorha?”
“It isn’t Monorhan,” B’Elanna replied. “Its molecular structure doesn’t correspond with any known elements in the planet’s composition, or any other elements we’ve detected in the system.”
“Is it sporocystian?” Janeway asked.
“There are similarities in the molecular structure of the Caretaker’s remains and the Key, but the Key is significantly more dense.”
“Computer,” Janeway called, turning to the diagnostic control panel, “display analysis of the Caretaker’s remains from stardate 48398.”
When it came up on the screen before them, she saw that B’Elanna was correct. There were properties that suggested a sporocystian origin, but there were also significant variances that defied definitive comparison.
“Wait a minute…” B’Elanna said, tapping the diagnostic panel. The display of the Caretaker’s remains was reorganized as B’Elanna instructed the computer to extrapolate the molecular structure of more than one sporocystian life-form integrated into a solid form similar to the Key.
Janeway watched, fascinated as the molecular composition of a single sporocystian remnant reacted in the hypothetical presence of another. But even after the process had been duplicated over fifty times, the simulated results bore only a cursory resemblance to the Key.
As the simulation continued, B’Elanna crossed her arms over her chest and said, “Maybe I’m just ignoring the obvious because I don’t like to even consider the possibility.”
“What do you mean?” Janeway asked.
“Maybe we encountered another Nacene,” B’Elanna suggested. “We know their presence disrupts subspace. The Key might just be reacting to the dissonance field a Nacene would have created, but its density prevented its destruction.”
“Unlike the Caretaker’s remains,” Janeway finished.
“And the fact that it’s still vibrating might mean that a Nacene is still nearby.”
Janeway didn’t like that possibility. But it was hard to dismiss.
“I assume you’re aware of the Key’s cultural significance to the Monorhans?” Janeway asked.
“Of course,” B’Elanna replied. “Everything Seven of Nine learned while we were linked on the planet is also… part of me now,” B’Elanna added. “In some ways it was one of the few high points of the ‘collective experience’ for me.”
“Why is that?” the captain asked sincerely.
“Because the more I knew, the less we had to discuss,” B’Elanna replied tersely.
Janeway smiled faintly and continued, “So how does an object that at least shares some similarities with Nacene bioremnants end up thousands of light-years from the only other areas of the quadrant where we’ve seen Nacene activity?”
“And how does it get folded into the culture of the Monorhans?” B’Elanna added. “The Key has been on the planet since before their recorded history. It was discovered by a farmer who touched it and became some kind of prophet.”
“Well I touched it too,” Janeway said simply, “and if anything, I know less about the future now than before.”
“Of course, you’re not telepathic,” B’Elanna said. “All of the Monorhans share low-level psionic capabilities, but among the Fourteenth Tribe, those abilities were uniquely strong.” She shook her head as she continued ruefully, “It’s a shame that tribe never returned from their search. I imagine they reached the edge of the system and disintegrated like the first transport we encountered.”
“They didn’t,” Janeway corrected her. “We’ve already found their ship. It’s docked on the array.”
Torres stared at her. “Captain, I’d like to get a look at that ship.”
“So would I,” Janeway replied. “Meet with Seven as soon as